Tonsillectomy

[aquamarine1]

I am aware this sounds ridiculous but I've been given a date next month for my 5 year old DS's tonsillectomy and I am panicking about his immune system being low with Cotonavirus on the horizon. Would you go ahead with that operation at this time?

Yes of course. You have to stay away from infections for two weeks anyway, so away from lots of people, or anyone with a bug, time off school etc. It’s the best thing I ever did for my DS. To be honest you could worry about any virus at this time of year. Don’t though, have the op. It changed my DS’s life for the better.

Thanks @SlippersAndThePaper, that's really reassuring.

Link to a youTube clip of

It was intended for a medical audience but may be of interest

Regarding the safety of tonsillectomy: many ENT surgeons now use a new method which involves leaving a small stump of tonsil tissue (I’m paraphrasing, can’t remember the technical terms). This is much safer than the old full removal method.

Yes I would go ahead. He’ll likely still be home schooling and so exposed to far fewer germs now than in normal times.

Also the reason children aren’t so badly affected by covid is not because of their immune system, it’s because they don’t have the protein it attaches to, this will still be the case even if his immune system is lower.

Best thing we did for our daughter. She was constantly getting ear infections as well as tonsillitis. She hasn't had a single ear infection since it was done. She also had eczema in her ears, and that has disappeared. She no longer snores or snuffles in her sleep. She's definitely had less colds and coughs. It was painful and you need to keep on top of the pain medication but after 2 weeks she was back to normal. Hope it goes well.

My ds had his op a year ago. It has changed his life! Every cold absolutely floored him, I'm pretty sure he would have been very poorly if he'd caught covid before he'd had the op.
Don't worry op. They won't do it if he's unwell at all on the day, and after that you'll go straight home (in most cases) and you can isolate until he's recovered.

Oh yes, in my previous post I should have said that DD’s tonsillectomy was well worth it. She no longer snores, has far more energy and no longer gets a month long all night cough every time she has a cold. This winter she’s had no colds and no coughs. Pre tonsillectomy she would have had a cough most of the winter (so this year would have been off school isolating most of the time as would her sister).